Egypt’s National Council for Human Rights has condemned attacks on Christians in Upper Egypt, reports Ahram.

The council said attacks on Christians, their homes and places and worship have proved that Christians are targeted because of their beliefs.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the drafting committee responsible for the country’s new constitution has said freedom of worship for all religions must be included, as well as what he calls the heavenly religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

“It is very important for Egypt’s new constitution to be amended to give followers of different world religions the right to exercise their rights freely,” said Mohamed Salmawy.

His remarks come after the withdrawal from a committee meeting of an ultra-conservative whose amendment was rejected. This would have read, “Islamic sharia is the main source of legislation in Egypt”, in place of its current wording: “the principles of Islamic sharia are the main source of legislation in Egypt”. (Source: Ahram)